These downloads are part of a series of materials to assist school leaders in creating a supportive school environment for the creation of curriculum-activated climate change projects. 

How can you build and maintain caring relationships with communities and elders for sustainable action and solidarity in response to climate change? How can the local radio station be used as a resource to inspire support and generate a sense of community and also interest and excitement about the school’s climate change projects and responses? How can matters of concern to the community (such as clean water sources and food security) become a collaborative focus of the school and the community?

There are many ways schools can adapt their infrastructure for improved efficiency, such as by encouraging windows to be open for fresh air flow; installing Jojo tanks; using grey water; having plant-covered walkways; shading areas with overhangs; maintaining taps for no leakage; and planting indigenous trees for shade and windbreaks. How can the SLT ensure that general maintenance and development of infrastructure happens? What planning is necessary? How can relationships with parents and the community be activated to support upkeep?

How can the SLT enable and support transformative teaching and learning so that learners are resilient, active, problem solvers, critical thinkers and involved in practical actions? What actions create a conducive teaching and learning environment? How could including indigenous knowledge from elders and the community be a resource for teaching and learning? In what other ways can the SLT support effective transformative teaching and learning? How can transformative teaching help learners, teachers and the community to adapt and survive climate change variability?

How could the school’s vision be re-framed to create a more sustainable school environment? What policies need to change or be developed? How can the SLT govern the school with a caring ethic that promotes the mobilisation and careful use of resources to adapt and build resilience to risk? As a member of the SLT, how can you support climate change initiatives, and put appropriate policies into practice? For example, a simple ‘No plastic’ policy creates awareness and lessens waste and litter.

The poster provides an overview of the key issues around adapting and making one’s school resilient to climate change. Discover how your SLT can work on the primary issues of governance, teaching and learning, infrastructure, and community partnerships, that will help your school to adapt and build resilience. Start to imagine what could be ... find out what is necessary and possible ... try out actions to get things done and make a positive difference.